Ward K. (koalabearkid) reviewed Clouds of Witness & The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club (2 book in 1) on + 215 more book reviews
Dorothy L. Sayers is one of the finest mystery writers. This is two of her mystery books in one. In CLOUDS OF WITNESS, Lord Peter Whimsey, one of the most celebrated of all fictional supersleuths (often portrayed on the PBS acclaimed Masterpiece Theatre) appears in 2 challenging cases which mark his television debut . . .
Lord Peter learns while on vacation in France that his brother , the Duke of Denver, is being held for the murder of their sister's fiance, Captain Denis Catheart. Evidence of a quarrels is used, along with a pistol belonging to the Duke found on the grounds of the estate. Lord Peter returns to England to aid his brother, whose innocence he never doubts despite the overwhelming evidence against him.
In THE UNPLEASANTNESS AT THE BELLONA CLUB, many members of the club have joked that the club looks like a morgue. Then one night it becomes reality. The eminent and ancient General Fentiman, thought to be napping in his wing chair by the fireside, is sleeping his last sleep. There is no reason to suspect any causes other than natural for his death since he is ninety. He is buried and this seems to be the end of that occurence.
Soon, however, matters of money develop--which depends for its disposition on exactly WHEN the old man died. How long had the older gentlemen been there before he was discovered? Though their had been estimates made based upon the degree of rigor mortis those estimations are no longer enough--and Lord Peter finds himself intrigued by an unusual aspect of this particular rigor mortis. And I can reveal no more or I would give away the story. :)
Lord Peter learns while on vacation in France that his brother , the Duke of Denver, is being held for the murder of their sister's fiance, Captain Denis Catheart. Evidence of a quarrels is used, along with a pistol belonging to the Duke found on the grounds of the estate. Lord Peter returns to England to aid his brother, whose innocence he never doubts despite the overwhelming evidence against him.
In THE UNPLEASANTNESS AT THE BELLONA CLUB, many members of the club have joked that the club looks like a morgue. Then one night it becomes reality. The eminent and ancient General Fentiman, thought to be napping in his wing chair by the fireside, is sleeping his last sleep. There is no reason to suspect any causes other than natural for his death since he is ninety. He is buried and this seems to be the end of that occurence.
Soon, however, matters of money develop--which depends for its disposition on exactly WHEN the old man died. How long had the older gentlemen been there before he was discovered? Though their had been estimates made based upon the degree of rigor mortis those estimations are no longer enough--and Lord Peter finds himself intrigued by an unusual aspect of this particular rigor mortis. And I can reveal no more or I would give away the story. :)
